Sparta Back in Vancouver this September

Did you know Sparta was coming to town again for the 3rd time in a year? That’s pretty sweet news for John and I who have been lucky enough to interview Jim and Keeley on the previous 2 occasions.

Want to know what makes this even better? They’ll be opening for Alice in Chains. Yes, Alice in Chains.

Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Sean Kinney will be joined by William Duvall, who will handle lead vocals for the group’s five U.S. club shows and overseas festival performances in Europe and Southeast Asia. [Alice in Chains]

Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm / Tickets (reserved seating) on sale now for $75, $55 AND $39.50 + service fees.

Unfortunately they’ll BOTH be opening for Velvet Revolver, against whom I have no qualms but I wouldn’t normally jump at the chance to see them live. A look at the first two bands on the bill however, makes me change my tune and as John puts it, it wouldn’t be bad to see Slash play. Now if only we can muster up the $100 + it will take for us both to attend, or maybe my husband’s fancy new job will be able to pull some strings – here’s hoping.

And now, some more from Sparta…

If there is such a thing as an epic music video, this would be one. Based on the autobiographical events that shaped the life of Sparta’s drummer, Tony Hajjar, “Eme Nakia” tells his deeply personal story of how the Hajjar family fled Lebanon during a brutal civil war, and the lasting scars it inflicted upon his kin. [Atom Films]